Writer…Runner…Birder

Mentor Monday: Looking back in order to move ahead

I’ve revised about two-thirds of my manuscriptand when I met with Claudia last week, she cautioned me that in the final third I must deliver on the tension developed thus far.

She’s right, of course.

But when you’ve ripped up your story’s floorboards and knocked down a bunch of its walls,it’s a bit overwhelming to figure out how to construct the remaining pieces.Especially when you’re not entirely sure what pieces will be there.

But Claudia has a great method for writing the second half of your book:Go back to the first half to see what’s there,and then use those elements in the latter part.

Stuff like:

The nosy neighbor down the street

The red and white twirly skirt

The dripping faucet

The neglected lawn

Best friend’s activist Grandma

The tiny photo album

These final chapters will require lots of new writing, but at this point I’m only taking notes.Lots of notes.

My middle mind had me include those elements for a reason,and I trust that in time I will see how to construct a satisfying ending.

Again and again, I’ve been surprised by some of the imagery my “middle mind” suggests. Love that aha moment when I discover a way to include them in subsequent chapters! Recursive events, recurring images…just as it is in life, right?

That makes sense. In the screenwriting book I just read (Save the Cat!) he proposes making sure every character has an arc and the end of the book is where we see how each of them– from least important to most important– has changed.

Tracy is . . .

a writer of contemporary middle-grade and young adult fiction who enjoys trail running, hoop dancing, and bird watching. Sometimes, all of the above happen before her first cup of coffee.
BLOG KEY: Zippy = spouse. Wildebeest and Zebu = sons. Love and laughter = essential.